Heading out on the town? Here are the best places in Brisbane to wet your whistle
Brisbane may be renowned for its sprawling pubs and beer gardens, where you can settle in for a laid-back session and soak up the year-round sunshine – but these days there’s a whole lot more to the river city’s booze scene than meets the eye. Whether you’re looking for the best spot for cleverly crafted cocktails or a dive bar where you can drink with your dog, these are the best bars in Brisbane right now.
West End might be renowned for its cheap and cheerful bars, but this definitely isn’t one of them. Behind the floor-to-ceiling velvet curtain, more than 300 bottles of whisky await, with some seriously luxe drams on offer. Served with an eyedropper of water or hand-cut ice, if you must.
The Nixon Room is the chic, little sister of Essa – one of Brisbane’s trendiest eateries where each plate is a revelry of nature’s best. That being considered, expect nothing short of a memorable night out at the restaurant’s Martini bar spin-off. The hidden space just off James Street in Fortitude Valley keeps things casual. Pair your cocktail with funky snacks, like kettle chips and green garlic aioli or hash browns topped with wagyu tartare.
When you want to drink in the Valley but want to keep it classy, sashay over to Savile Row. Hidden in plain sight behind an unmarked orange door and down a dark and winding staircase, this whiskey and cocktail bar is a tribute to the iconic central London strip known for its exquisite tailoring. Shuffle into one of the intimate chandelier-lit booths for top-shelf cocktails, which are refreshed every quarter. Alternatively, trust the team to guide you with their top pick from Savile Row’s shiny gallery of 1,000 booze bottles.
For a little bar, Maker certainly packs a big punch. The 20-seater den of black minimalism shakes and stirs an ever-changing list of cocktails, each presented like a true work of art. Stick with one from the seasonal menu or be bold with a bespoke cocktail – just tell the bartenders what you’re in the mood for. Pair your tipple with bar snacks that you absolutely won’t find elsewhere in town.
Don’t be deterred by the menacing Grim Reaper mural on the wall outside. The welcome is warm, and so is the ambience inside this cavernous former warehouse in Brisbane’s oldest laneway, Burnett Lane. The amber glow of 1,000 bottles of quality booze behind the bar will warm even the darkest of hearts.
Right on the banks of the river under the Story Bridge, this is the easiest, breeziest spot in Brisbane to while away a Sunday session. Nab a table on the deck or sprawl on a picnic rug on the lawn and work your way through the fresh, frothy ales and lagers brewed on-site.
It really is all fun and games at this corner bar at the seedy end of the Valley. In addition to the best collection of retro arcade games, there are 24 local beers on tap, handmade sodas, live music and the tastiest bar snacks around (many of them vegan).
We almost guarantee the decor at this overwater bar is unlike anything you’ve seen before: think 70’s discotheque meets sunny Mediterranean. The latter sets the scene for an Italian-inspired menu with plenty of seafood share dishes, pasta and pizzas, plus aperitivo hour on weekdays. Perch yourself at the towering bar for oysters and a Spritz, or head out to the deck for Moreton Bay bug rolls and fresh burrata with crispy bread.
If walls could talk, the Gresham would sit you down, buy you a glass of scotch and go on all night about the space’s substantial history. From its inception as the Queensland National Bank to witnessing thousand-man brawls, the 19th-century building has seen its fair share of scenes. Nowadays, the space plays host to less bar fights and more spirit-tasting flights. The Gresham is cosy and rustic, and with its cascading bar and antique photo hangings, you might just feel like you’ve taken a couple of steps back in time.
Cloudland is something of a wonderland, if you will. We’ll try to set the scene for you, but you’re better off experiencing it with your own eyes: think towering high glass ceilings, a waterfall flowing in the bar’s centre and illuminated marble bars. And that’s before you’ve even ventured into the Crystal Palais booths, a groovy space that’s a dark opulent take on oriental-cross-Balinese decor with its earthy wooden centrepiece, warm hues and retro posters. Come for a drink, or consider it for a function that you’ll be talking about long after the tab is settled.
Discover Time Out original video
